Enda wrote: I agree. I like what we see from lli so far but mostly as a winger. After Ronaldson got injured I was hoping to see an opportunity for Danie at centre. He has build and speed. Maybe he is not 100% fit.

I'm really looking forward to see how Ili does. Its the perfect opportunity. Grif and Robb havn't exactly shown much when given the opportunity. And we are crying out for a working centre relationship. Ronaldson is the perfect match with Aki but is injury prone.

As for Boshoff, well he had to start. He was brought in to sort out kicking stats and I wouldn't be surprised if he plays the full 80. He needs it in light of the Wasps game next week and the week after.

I really want to see SOB at second row. I think he will be excellent but still to be proven. He is so hugely talented.

If we ever get anywhere near a fully fit squad it is going to be tough to pick a match day squad! Just look at the names that are not available this weekend due to international commitments and injury. We have come a long long way in such a short time.

As regards this match day squad, I think we look a little light in the back replacement area. Could one of JP or MCoy not have provided cover for both sides of the scrum?

A question re SOB too, is his recent absence from the first 15 down to him learning the lock role? is the second row his long term position? It would make sense with Dawai coming in as he can cover 6,7,8 and we are already pretty stacked in the back row. I'm not sure the second row will do anything for SOB's international ambitions though as he is probably not quite tall enough to make it as an international class lock?

I agree. I like what we see from lli so far but mostly as a winger. After Ronaldson got injured I was hoping to see an opportunity for Danie at centre. He has build and speed. Maybe he is not 100% fit.

What happened to Loughs?

Good to see McKinley back in Ireland.

BENETTON RUGBY:
15 David Odiete, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Michael Tagicakibau, 12 Alberto Sgarbi ( C ), 11 Luca Sperandio, 10 Ian McKinley, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Marco Barbini, 7 Roberto Santamaria, 6 Abraham Steyn, 5 Marco Fuser, 4 Marco Lazzaroni, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Davide Giazzon, 1 Alberto De Marchi.

Replacements:
16 Luca Bigi, 17 Federico Zani, 18 Matteo Zanusso, 19 Nicola Quaglio, 20 Vittorio Flammini, 21 Edoardo Gori, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Andrea Pratichetti

You'd wonder what Danie Poolman did to warrant being omitted again. I think he covered more options that Parata.

Connacht team to face Benetton Treviso
Saturday December 3rd, kick off 15:00, the Sportsground

(Connacht caps in brackets)

15 Tiernan O’Halloran (110)
14 Cian Kelleher (9)
13 Bundee Aki (50)
12 Stacey Ili (6)
11 Matt Healy (77)
10 Marnitz Boshoff (1)
9 John Cooney (27)

1 Denis Buckley (100)
2 Tom McCartney (48)
3 Conor Carey (7)
4 Quinn Roux (39)
5 James Cannon (3)
6 Nepia Fox-Matamua (10)
7 Jake Heenan (42)
8 John Muldoon (captain) (285)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan (67)
17 JP Cooney (37)
18 Dominic Robertson-McCoy (3)
19 Sean O’Brien (23)
20 Eoin McKeon (95)
21 Caolin Blade (30)
22 Jack Carty (64)
23 Rory Parata (18)

Injured: Ronan Loughney, Ivan Soroka, Conan O’Donnell, Saba Meunargia, Ben Marshall, Andrew Browne, Eoghan Masterson, Eoin Griffin, Shane O’Leary, Craig Ronaldson, Josh Rowland, Darragh Leader.

Rested following November Test Series: Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Kieran Marmion, and Niyi Adeolokun

Boshoff to start, Lli in the center!

No rain hopefully. Could so with putting 40+ on the board to blow off the cobwebs for Wasps.

Weather forecast looks great for us..........

Treviso are pretty poor this season, and don't travel well either.

Must be an opportunity to rack up a few points surely?

p.s. Weather forecast doesn't look hectic.

clanman wrote: I'm not sure why people are fixated on the 2nd row player doing the Muldowney link role, Bealham has great ball skills and at 6ft 2 is well able to retain possession if neccessary

I would go further and say our first choice front row are all capable of stepping in as first receiver to a greater extent than our second row at present.

Henshaw spent so much time away from Connacht last season, both good (with Ireland) and bad (injured), it's hardly surprising that it took him some time to readjust.

He was also used very differently by Ireland and Connacht, I don't think Dillane will have to make as big a change.

It's only one opinion (mine) but if you look at say, Henshaw, who is far further on in his development than Dillane, he came back from the 6 Nations last year, was on the bench initially v. Leinster, and played like an absolute drain for several matches before getting back into the Connacht system. Given the more technical nature of the second row, Dillane is even more likely to be used as an impact sub. As to other players taking on the Aly role, Quinn is showing promise, the other locks aren't up to it, Finlay is rested and is unlikely to be asked to do it against Wasps, and the obvious answer - SOB - is either unfit or not selected. Pat selects a system and applies players to it, not the other way round.

I completely agree. Ronaldson does it so why can't 4 to 5 players learn the role.

I'm not sure why people are fixated on the 2nd row player doing the Muldowney link role, Bealham has great ball skills and at 6ft 2 is well able to retain possession if neccessary